opportunity.  By my listening and over-hearing their Amorous Discourse, I perceiv’d he solicited her hard for her last Favours, which she would not consent to; and being resolved to improve this opportunity to the accomplishing my own Desires, having over-heard ’em make their next appointment, when the time drew near, I call’d my Chambermaid down (for she it was that the Prentice courted) and sent her of an Errand at a considerable distance, that she could not be back in two hours time, taking care to see her out of doors my self by a back pair of Stairs, so that I knew the Prentice cou’d know nothing of her being abroad, my Husband very fortunately being absent likewise, I went to the place of meeting my self; and the young couple being accustomed to converse without any Light, as being unwilling to be discovered, I seated my self where my Chambermaid used to do; and the Apprentice coming as usual, came up to me, and caress’d me; whereupon I clap’d my Hand upon his Mouth, as a signal of his being silent, and then embrac’d him very tenderly; and he being extasy’d with this soft Entertainment, which was very pleasing to him, he was so far blinded with his Passion, that he made no farther search, but imagining that his Sweet heart was now come to his Terms he push’d on his design, and met with such a compliance from me which he did not so easily expect; and I must say, That I had not till that Time tasted the delights of Love:  For he manag’d his Business with so much Briskness and Vigour, that I was very much pleas’d with the Encounter.  When we had both performd our Parts to equal Satisfaction; I caught him about the middle, and told him he shou’d not go, till I knew who he was; for I made him believe I knew him not, and first thought it was my Husband, but happened now too late to find the contrary.  My Spark at this was much surpriz’d, and his Amorous Passion exchang’d into Fear; and therefore begging of my Pardon, he told me he took me for the Chambermaid, and desir’d I wou’d conceal what had happen’d, and not ruine him.  Well, well, said I, I’ll keep your secret; but it shall be on this condition, that you think no more on the Chamber-Maid; and get you to Bed forthwith, otherwise it will be worse for you.  And this I enjoyn’d him, lest he should have told the Maid.  My Spark was very thankful that I suffer’d him to come off so well, and accordingly went to Bed.  The next Morning I paid my Maid her Wage, and turn’d her off, not letting her so much as bid her Lover adieu.  After which my young Spark and I us’d to have frequent Rencounters, to each others mutual Satisfaction:  And I us’d to supply him with Money for his Pocket Expences, furnishing him always with what he wanted; until at last our kindness for each other was taken Notice of by my Husband; who not being willing to have a Publick Talk made of it, gave him up his Indentures when he had a year and a Quarter to serve.

This was a very sensible Trouble to me; for having been used to those Delights which my Youth and high-feeding requir’d for about three Quarters of a Year, it became very irksome to me to be abridged of ’em.  And my Husband being grown Jealous of me, by the familiarity he had observ’d me to have with his Man, after he had turn’d him off, as I have related, gave me this Gentle Reproof: